UNITED NATIONS, July 12 (Xinhua) -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon calls theForum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) a "good example" of the South-Southcooperation.
African countries, Ban added, can learn from China's experience in its economic growthand social advancement to boost their own development.
The secretary-general made the statement during an interview with Xinhua on the eveof his visit to China, during which he will attend the Fifth Ministerial Conference of theFOCAC on July 19-20.
"Even before I became secretary-general, as the minister of foreign affairs of theRepublic of Korea, I have been very closely following how China has been cooperatingwith many developing countries, particularly African countries, this is a great example ofSouth-South Cooperation," Ban said.
Ever since taking office as U.N. chief on Jan. 1, 2007, Ban has attached greatimportance to peace and development in Africa. He also has made great efforts topromote the South-South cooperation in order to help Africa eradicate poverty, improveeducation, and strengthen the health care system.
"China is (the) second largest economy in the world, is making great strides and socialeconomic development," Ban said.
"China can transfer technology, China can transfer your experience of economicdevelopment -- this is exactly what I expect through (the) China-Africa CooperationForum," he said. "Many African leaders can learn from Chinese experience."
The secretary-general said he has asked his home country, the Republic of Korea,which has also been trying to cooperate with many developing countries, to furtherstrengthen its cooperation with the developing world.
"I'm (also) asking many countries like Brazil, India, Mexico and South Africa, who canhave capacity for South-South cooperation" to learn from China in a bid to better theSouth-South cooperation, Ban said.
"Despite this world (is facing) economic difficulties, most of the African countries havebeen making steady economic development," Ban said. "They need more trainedhuman resources, they need education, and they need political stability. Therefore, byproviding and transferring technology and expert-know-how, they can fully utilize theirpotential -- their human potential, natural resources, this is what we expect China, andChinese government through this African-China forum."
The Beijing forum is expected to attract ministers from China and 50 African countriesto promote economic cooperation.
Jointly set up by China and Africa in October 2000, the FOCAC has made abundantachievements in the last decade, boosting the development of the new type of China-Africa strategic partnership in an all-round and tangible way.
The FOCAC, a collective consultation and dialogue mechanism between China andAfrican countries, is the first of its kind in the history of China-Africa relations.
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